On paper, Jim Miller’s major league statistics don’t exactly scream Cooperstown. During the six years he spent in the majors, bouncing around from the Baltimore Orioles to the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics and finally the New York Yankees, Miller compiled a 2-3 record with a 3.48 ERA and 57 strikeouts in just over 67 innings of work. His time with the Yankees was short, as he pitched just 2 2/3 innings, but he had a longer stint with Oakland, pitching 48 2/3 innings with a 2.59 ERA in 2012.

In fact, Miller’s biggest major league achievement might be that when he plunked Derek Jeter at Old Yankee Stadium while pitching for the Orioles in 2008, he became the last pitcher in that fabled stadium’s history to hit a batter. None of this would seem to make a strong case as to why the Minnesota Twins recently signed the 34-year old to a minor league contract, but digging a bit deeper shows why it actually makes sense.

Despite not playing much in the majors, Miller was a three-time minor league All-Star during his four years in the Rockies organization after they drafted him in the eighth round in 2004. Last season, he played in 26 games with the Somerset Patriots of the Independent League and didn’t allow a single earned run in just over 25 innings of work. He ended the season with a record of 1-0, while the Patriots went 20-8 in games he played. In this video of one of his strikeouts, you can see the slider that he is known for.

Looking at Miller’s recent success and the state of the Twins and their pitching staff, it’s easy to see why this signing makes sense. Minnesota was one of the most disappointing teams in the league last season with their 59-103, the worst record in baseball. Their team ERA was over five and only 59 of 162 starts were considered, “quality starts” in which the pitcher went at least six innings and gave up no more than three earned runs. Ervin Santana was their best pitcher (and even he finished with a 3.38 ERA and a 7-11 record) and he is potential trade bait at the moment. Their bullpen wasn’t any better, compiling a combined ERA of 4.68 and giving up a league-worst 78 home runs. In short, the Twins need help on the mound.

While Miller will most likely start the season in Triple-A, pitching for the Rochester Red Wings, he fits the mold of what the Twins are trying to add to their bullpen to hopefully help the overall pitching roster, veterans and depth, so a call up at some point during the season certainly isn’t out of the question if Miller can perform anywhere near the level he did in Somerset last season. While some might think Miller’s age could be a factor, it probably won’t be for the Twins, who are reportedly interested in also signing 33-year old, left hander Clayton Richard, who did pretty good work during an 11-game stretch with the San Diego Padres last season, striking out 24 and compiling a 2.52 ERA.

If nothing else, Miller can provide a veteran presence and mindset to a bullpen full of young potential that needs to learn how to pitch consistently in the big leagues. The deal will be a win for the Twins if they get that and any success on the mound would be an added bonus.